The Way of Kings

The Shattered Plains and the Coming Storm

The Way of Kings is the first novel in Brandon Sanderson's ambitious, ten-book epic fantasy series, The Stormlight Archive. Published in 2010, the novel is a monumental undertaking, introducing readers to the unique, storm-battered world of Roshar and a complex cast of characters wrestling with deep personal trauma, political intrigue, and ancient, returning magic. The book is lauded for its sheer scope, intricate world-building, and profound character development.

The World of Roshar

Roshar is a world constantly reshaped by devastating, magical Highstorms. Life has adapted to survive the storms: plants retract, animals hide, and even the continent's topography is formed by their passage. The political landscape is dominated by the Alethi kingdom, which is locked in a decade-long, pointless war on the Shattered Plains against the mysterious, crustacean-like Parshendi.

The story is told through three primary viewpoints, each representing a different facet of Roshar's troubled society:

1. Kaladin: A former soldier unjustly relegated to slavery. His arc is a dark journey of despair and perseverance as he attempts to protect the members of his Bridge Four crew from brutal, suicidal missions on the Shattered Plains. His struggle against depression and the corrupt system is central to the novel.

2. Dalinar Kholin: The brother of the assassinated King, an aging Highprince haunted by visions of the past and deeply concerned with the code of honor laid out in The Way of Kings, an ancient, religious text. He is the moral compass struggling to maintain honor amid a politically fragmented war.

3. Shallan Davar: A young scholar from a minor noble house who journeys to the city of Kholinar to become the ward of the King’s sister, Jasnah Kholin. Her true mission, however, is a secret, desperate attempt to steal Jasnah's magical artifact to save her family from ruin.

Magic, Honor, and the Knights Radiant

The magic systems of Roshar are intertwined with the planet's history and mythology. The key elements are:

• Shardplate and Shardblade: The immense, powerful armor and razor-sharp swords left over from a forgotten era. These are the ultimate tools of war, making their wielders near-immortal, yet their origins and true purpose are shrouded in mystery.

• Surgebinding: The return of ancient magical abilities, linked to the mysterious, often invisible elemental spirits called Spren. The book hints at the return of the Knights Radiant, an ancient order of warriors who once wielded these powers but were betrayed. Kaladin's burgeoning abilities are tied directly to this return.

The novel is a journey of self-discovery, with each protagonist seeking a sense of purpose and honor in a world that seems to have forgotten both. The climax is a massive, spectacular battle that tests the courage and conviction of all the main characters, dramatically setting the stage for the rest of the epic.